Training Tips

QUESTION: Hi Sylvia. My four-and-a-half-year-old quarter horse gelding doesn't like being brushed. I have tried rough brushing, gentle brushing, just smoothing him with my hand. For the most part I will just not bother brushing him because it annoys him, but sometimes it just has to be done. He is one of these mud rollers, he actually self grooms his winter coat. He just keeps rolling until it is out. You might think I am just a bad groomer but my other gelding just loves when I groom him, he can't get enough. We had my other gelding away for a couple of weeks this summer, and my horse wanted attention and companionship so bad he actually stood and let me groom him. When I groom my horses just for the pleasure of it I don't tie them, I only groom them tied when I am going to saddle them for a ride. I think he is pretty sensitive because he really hates flies. Have any ideas because when he needs to be groomed I would like him to enjoy it?

REPLY: Hi. First, tie him when you groom him so he knows something is expected of him (to stand quietly). Next, give him his favorite supplement grain food (like Purina Equine Adult or Triple Crown Complete, etc.) while you are grooming. He only gets that when he's being groomed for a while. And usually just one scoop will be sufficient to get you through the entire grooming process.

It's usually easier to get a horse to tolerate grooming if you do it while they are eating their favorite food (and even better if that's the only time they get that food, so it is mentally filed as something to look forward to). As you groom, figure out where he will accept the brushing (usually the shoulder area is a good place to start with a touchy horse; in others, it's the saddle area that is more acceptable), but experiment to see where there is one spot he tolerates more than others. And as you do this, note where the "threshold line" is that if you cross it, he gets irritated. Watch for his ears going back or flicking his tail to register that irritation before he reacts more overtly. Most horses will show those signs before acting out. Stick inside that threshold line, brushing gently in the acceptable area -- your "base" for a start. For a sensitive horse like this use a soft brush, and stroke gently.

As he tolerates that "base," next, briefly dart over that threshold line very quickly, brushing one fast stroke outside that line, but just as quickly (before he even has a chance to register it overtly or react is ideal) return to "base," the safe place he allows, and continue brushing there. Few seconds later, dart over the line again, but return to "base" again fast. This is about "advance/retreat." Don't be forward-focused, but be retreat focused. This route, he'll slowly mentally redraw that threshold line as you advance/retreat there. Don't go too far too fast, read him well, returning to "base" before he moves/reacts. Retreat before he retreats and he'll get there faster until he tolerates brushing all over his body -- as you advance/retreat your way there slowly.